Loose-leaf binder



June 9, 1953 J. B. UTHURRIAGUE I LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Oct. 3l, 1950Patented Juney 9, 1953 LOOSE -LEAF BINDER Juan Bernab Uthurriague,Buenos Aires, Argentina v implication.OctoberY 31, 1950, SerialNo..193,130 In Argentina November 26, 1949 d Claims. 1

The present Ainvention relates to a novel 'binder consisting ofseparable loose cov-ers with binding posts the locking a-ndunloching orwhich for the insertion or removal of loose leaves is automatic andwhich is especially adapted-for use with loose leaves having marginalperforations.

The principal shortcoming of nearly all common loose leaf binders isthat the dualityV and condition of the book varies very largely in acmcordance with the number of loose leaves it contains.

Usually the binders are too loose when there are few leaves in the bookand generally the binding is dangerously tight when the bool: is fairlyfull of loose leaves, both cases making retaining diicult.

This inconvenience is entirely eliminated by the present invention,which provides a method of binding the loose leaves that is entirelynovel,

highly efficient and relatively economical, espe cially when dueconsideration is given to the simplicity and easy manipulation of thisnew device, the long service it is capable of rendering, the case ofreconditioningy and low cost of any parts that may require replacement.

For easy comprehension of this invention a drawing is attached heretowherein:

Fig. l is a longitudinal section oi" the binder as at line I--I in Fig.2.

Fig. 2 is a plan `of the upper part oi the binder.

Fig. 3 is a section through 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows the perforated edge of a loose leaf as usedin the binderherein described.

From the above figures it will be seen that this invention consists of alower cover i provided with perforations 2 reinforced by means ofeyelets oi suitable material 3. Two additional perforations areprovi-ded il inthe neighborhood or the centre of the lower cover I.

The perforations 2 engage the cylindrical members 5 respectively, whichmembers consists of an elastic material, such as India-rubber, the lowerextremities of which are substantially enlarged as shown at 6. In orderto hold the cylindrical members in position of loose attachment to thelower cover I, a washer or collar is provided which may be constitutedby the outer head of eyelet 3 and which prevents the enlargedextremities E from being drawn into the perforations 2.

The elastic cylindrical members 5 are provided with rigid tubularsleeves of suitable material 'l which sleeves are iirmly attached at theupper extremities 8 of the elastic members 5 by adequate means, such asa pin 8a extending through the sleeve and the eyelet at the end of theelastic member.

The elastic members 5 have enlarged lower pore tions 9 the diameter ofwhich is greater than that of the upper portions Ill.

The lower portions 8 may be further reinforced by means of a core ofsuitably thin but strong material l I, such as cobblers twine, whichstrengthens the elastic material in ii and prevents the lower portion ofthis material from being extended when the binding bars are drawn 'opwards before being bent over to lock the binder.

The loose leaves, shown at I2, are perforated near upper and lower edgesand also in the vicinity of the center, to register with theperforations in the lower cover.

The upper cover is provided with the channels i3 the width of which isslightly in excess ci the outer diameter of the tubular sleeves land twofia-t springs I4 having their ends bent over at right angles areprovided in the two channels i3 respectively which springs tend to pressupwardly when the binders are in condition to remove or add looseleaves, thereby engaging the two loching bars l5 which latter are urgedoutwardly by the spring il imbedded in the upper cover which tends topress both the said locking bars I5 outwardly against the verticalportions of the said springs It.

The locking bars i5 are provided with eatensions i8 for manipulation bymeans of the linger and thumb of one hand.

A reinforcing cover-plate 2l is provided immediately underneath theupper cover of the binder. which has perforations corresponding theperforations Eil, in the upper cover. This coverplate has twolongitudinal slots 22, the edges of which are beaded and serve asreinforcem ments for the edges of the slots out in the upper cover.

The action of this device is simple. When the cylindrical elasticmembers 5 are in a state of rest, the tubular sleeves l which are iixedupon them are ina vertical position, and the top cover and loose leavescan be removed or replaced as required.

The hat springs it are in raised position, there by preventing withtheir bentover ends the outward movement of the locking bars I5.

When the book is to be closed and locked, the upper cover is replacedand the tubular sleeves l are drawn upwards, one at a time, therebystretching the elastic members 5 until the lower extremity of the sleevel is above the upper cover. The sleeve 'l is then inserted along thechannel i3. When the extremity of the sleeve l presses down upon thespring I4 it releases the locking bar I5 which enters the open end ofthe sleeve 'I and s holds it in the channel I3 thus pressing the upperbinding cover firmly towards the lower cover and the loose leavesbetween them are securely bound. At the same time the beards of thesprings I 4 enter the perforations 4.

To open the covers for the insertion or removal of loose leaves the twolocking bar extensions I8 are pressed towards each other by the fingerand thumb of one hand. `The flat springs I4 then push up the ends of thesleeves 'I forming the binding posts which assume a vertical position,A

thus enabling the top cover to be removed and exposing the loose leaves.The binding posts remain in the vertical position, being held there bythe lower binding cover. At the instant oi escaping from the pressure ofthe ends of the tubular sleeves 'I the flat springs I4 impede theoutward movement of the locking bar extensions I8 which therefore remainin the open position, ready to lock the posts upony the return of thesleeve ends when the book is being locked after loose leaves have beenadded orremoved.

As will be evident from the drawings (Fig. 4) the loose leaves that areused with the binder in accordance with this invention are alsoperforated in spaced position 4 which perforations register with thoseoi the lower binder -cover 4 and serve to receive the verticallydownward bent extremities of the laminated springs I4 when the binderdevice is in locked position.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modiiicationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims. i

Having described one embodiment of my invention and the method ofemployment of same, what I claim is:

1. A binder for loose leaf books, comprising a lower cover having twoperforations, an upper cover, and elastic binding posts extendingthrough said perforations, each of said binding posts having acylindrical portion of elastic material provided at its lower end withan enlarged part of greater diameter than that of said perforations anda rigid tubular sleeve disposed around said cylindrical portion andfastened thereto adjacent the upper end thereof, a longitudinal channelin the upper cover adapted to receive said sleeves in horizontalposition, a tubular member disposed centrally of said channel andenclosing a spring and a pair of locking bars adapted to be urged bysaid spring into locking engagement with said binding posts while inhorizontal position, manipulating extensions on said locking bars, andlaminated springs disposed in said channel, adapted to engage saidlocking bars and retain them in unlocked position.

2. A binder for loose leaf books, comprising a lower cover having twoperforationa' an upper cover, and elastic binding posts extendingthrough said perforations, each of said lbinding posts having acylindrical portion of elastic material provided at its lower end withan enlarged part of greater diameter than that of said perforations anda rigid tubular sleeve disposed around said cylindrical portion andfastened 4 gitudinal channel in the upper cover adapted to receive saidsleeves in horizontal position, a tubular member disposed centrally ofsaid channel and enclosing a spring and a pair of locking bars adaptedto be urged by said spring into locking engagement with said bindingposts while in horizontal position, manipulating extensions on saidlocking bars, and laminated springs disposed in said channel, adapted toengage said locking bars and retain them in unlocked position, saidcylindrical portion of elastic material being provided with areinforcing core at its lower end. r

3. A binder for loose leaf books, comprising .a lower cover Vhaving twoperforations, an upper cover, and elastic binding posts extendingthrough said perforations, each of said binding posts having acylindrical portion of elastic material provided at its lower end withan enlarged part of greater diameter than that of 4saidperforations anda rigid `tubular sleeve disposed around said cylindrical portion andfastened thereto adjacent the upper end thereof, a 1ongitudinal channelin the upper cover adapted to receive said sleeves in horizontalposition, a tubular member disposed centrally of said channel andenclosing a spring and a pair of looking bars adapted to be urged bysaid spring into locking engagement with said binding posts while inhorizontal position, manipulating extensions on said locking bars, andlaminated springs disposed in said channel, adapted to engage saidlocking bars and retain them in unlocked position, said perforations insaid lower cover being reinforced with eyelets.

4. A binder for loose leaf books, comprising a lower cover having twoperforations, an upper cover, and elastic binding posts extendingthrough said perforations, each of said binding posts -having acylindrical portion of elastic material provided at its lower end withan enlarged part of greater diameter than that of said perforations anda rigid tubular sleeve disposed around said cylindrical portion andfastened thereto adjacent the upper end thereof, a longitudinal channelin the upper cover adapted to receive said sleeves in horizontalposition, a tubular member disposed centrally of said channel andenclosing a spring and a pair of locking bars posed in said channel,adapted to engage said thereto adjacent the upper end thereof, a lonvlocking bars and retain them in unlocked position, said covers havingperforations in alignment with the ends of said laminated springs.

JUAN BERNAB UTHURRIAGUE.

4liefert-mes cited in the fue of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber y Name Date 826,460 Wirt July 17, 1906 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 187,438 Great Britain Oct. 26, 1922 468,870

Great vBritain July 14, 1937

